I find the notion somewhat disturbing since the target of the question is irrelevant as long it is on topic. On many programming forums (or user forums if we drive a parallel to Super User where this question was also closed for the same reason) I must say, in near 20 years, I cannot remember a question ever being closed by its moderators on grounds of being "too localized".

Another thought: On both cases, before the question was closed, apparent valid or useful answers were given, which does show the ability of the forum users to provide valuable information on this type of questions. This displaces the notion this type of question may not find any interest, or may not be answerable.

Finally, I cannot see any information on the FAQ with "Localized" as a type of question to avoid.

AFAIK, this is "somewhere" in the sense of "anywhere", not somewhere specific. I have plenty of questions that are only of interest to my co-workers, pertaining as they do to in-house tools used only by us - i probably shouldn't use SO as a replacement for our email system.
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Shog9♦Sep 22 '09 at 18:01

The question is: where do you draw the line between somewhere and somewhere specific? The world? Continents? Populous countries? Countries? Populous regions?
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EricSep 22 '09 at 20:18

@Eric: Those are all specific places. This isn't Craigslist - why should questions on SO be limited by geography? If a skilled programmer can get Internet access then they should be able to use SO without being discriminated against based on where they happen to be physically located. A question qualified with "everywhere in the Universe except for Lost Springs, WY" would still be too localized - a real programming question should depend only on the reader's knowledge of the asker's language, platform, and purpose, not the region in which he happens to sleep at night.
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Shog9♦Sep 22 '09 at 21:01

This is my main issue with the rule. Living in a country with 10 million inhabitants the size of Minnesota doesn't really make me feel "too localized". If 100 users of my country come to this forum everyday, doesn't make me feel "too localized" either. However, I have an hard time believing a New Jersey user with 10x less area and 2 million less population will not have their "too localized" question closed. This rule simply doesn't promote the forum main objectives and it is highly subjective and prone to very unfair situations.
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A DwarfSep 23 '09 at 1:23

errata: will -not have their "too localized" question closed,
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A DwarfSep 23 '09 at 1:25

@Shog9: If that's the case, then the reason for closing should simply be "localized" rather than "too localized", which implies that there is an acceptable level of locality.
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EricSep 23 '09 at 7:30

@A Dwarf: I would certainly vote to close any question attempting to limit responses to programmers from New Jersey. What's special about New Jersey, that SO should favor it? @Eric: well, there's a suggestion idea for ya...
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Shog9♦Sep 23 '09 at 21:58

When a question is specific to a country or region, it is considered localised. The option has been there for some time, and has been used, albeit rarely. In this particular case the question was related to exams in a country, and unless someone lives in the country, even with the information online, there is not a big chance of it getting a valid or correct answer.

Very well. I'm still not convinced the option should exist. But that's my problem and I'm certainly free to not use it :) Your third paragraph is indeed a strong argument though, as I can certainly relate to it.
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A DwarfSep 22 '09 at 14:48

Please note that this option was not added as at a whim. It had become a legatimate problem on SO long before SF and SU even existed and therefore it was added, again as I said not often used, but there was enough use cases for Jeff and company to add it. SO itself has been around for more then a year, and if I recall that option was added not to long after coming out of beta.
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DiagoSep 22 '09 at 14:52

Just added the bit after see the little bar up top say, "Please stop now, you're spending way too much time on Meta".
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randomSep 22 '09 at 14:55

1

@random - I tweeted about 30 minutes ago I should stay of the Trilogy today before I do something seriously nasty.... I am still here.
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DiagoSep 22 '09 at 14:58